Estate Planning Services

A last will and testament is the foundation of your estate plan. It puts you in control of how your property is distributed, who manages your estate, and  who will care for your children after your death. Without one, Texas law makes those decisions for you, and the outcome may not reflect your wishes.

A well-prepared will gives your family a clear roadmap during an already difficult time, reducing conflict, confusion, and unnecessary court involvement.

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K. Nichols Law Firm, PLLC assists clients with:

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• Simple and customized wills for individuals and couples

• Guardian designations for minor children;

• Specific gifts, charitable bequests, and personal property distributions;

• Executor and successor executor designations; and

• Amendments, codicils, and updates to existing wills.

A will is not a one-time document. As life changes — marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one, or a significant shift in assets — your estate plan should be reviewed and updated to make sure it still reflects your wishes and protects the people who matter most.

Many people create an estate plan and never revisit it, only for their family to discover outdated designations, a former spouse still named as executor, or a guardian nomination that no longer makes sense. Small oversights can create significant complications at the worst possible time.

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K. Nichols Law Firm, PLLC assists clients with:

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• Review and assessment of existing estate planning documents;

• Updates and amendments to wills, trusts, and powers of attorney;

• Beneficiary designation reviews across accounts, policies, and retirement plans;

• Executor, trustee, and guardian updates; and

• Full plan revisions following major life events.

A durable power of attorney is one of the most important documents in any estate plan. It designates a trusted person to manage financial and legal matters on your behalf if you become incapacitated — keeping your affairs in order without the need for costly and time-consuming court intervention.

Without one, even close family members may be unable to pay your bills, manage your accounts, or handle legal matters until a court appoints a guardian. Planning ahead removes that burden from the people you love most.

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K. Nichols Law Firm, PLLC assists clients with:

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• Durable financial powers of attorney;

• Springing powers of attorney that take effect upon incapacity;

• Immediate powers of attorney effective upon signing;

• Limited or special powers of attorney for specific transactions; and

• Agent and successor agent designations.

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A transfer on death deed can be a useful estate planning tool for Texas homeowners. It allows you to name a beneficiary to receive real property after your death, while allowing you to keep full ownership and control during your lifetime. A properly prepared transfer on death deed may help your loved ones avoid probate for that property and provide a smoother transfer after death.

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K. Nichols Law Firm, PLLC assists clients with:

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• Transfer on death deeds for Texas real property;

• Review of existing deeds and property ownership;

• Guidance on whether a transfer on death deed fits your estate plan; and

• Coordination with wills, powers of attorney, and other estate planning documents.

A medical power of attorney is a document that designates a trusted person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you become unable to speak for yourself — ensuring that the people treating you know whose voice to listen to and that your care reflects your values.

K. Nichols Law Firm assists clients with:

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• Medical powers of attorney designating a trusted agent;

• Successor agent planning if the primary agent is unavailable;

• Advance directives documenting treatment preferences; 

• HIPAA authorizations allowing designated individuals access to medical information; and

• Review and updates to existing medical power of attorney documents.

Decisions about final arrangements are among the most personal a person can make - and without clear documentation, they often fall to family members during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. A disposition of remains directive puts your wishes in writing, giving your loved ones clarity and relieving them of decisions they may not feel equipped to make alone.

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Without documented instructions, family members may disagree about burial, cremation, or other arrangements, sometimes leading to conflict at an already painful time. Planning ahead is a meaningful gift to the people you leave behind.

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K. Nichols Law Firm, PLLC assists clients with:

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• Disposition of remains directives documenting final arrangement preferences;

• Burial and cremation instructions;

• Coordination with overall estate planning documents; and

• Review and updates to existing directives following changes in circumstances.